Xcel Energy agrees settlement on 600-MW Colorado wind project

US utility Xcel Energy (NYSE:XEL) has reached a settlement with multiple parties in connection with the planned construction of the 600-MW Rush Creek wind farm in Colorado and a related 345-kV transmission line.

The agreement concerning both projects is subject to clearance by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).

The Minneapolis-based company said in a statement on Tuesday that the parties have agreed for the proposed Pawnee-Daniel Park transmission project to go into service in October 2019, which is several years ahead of the initially approved date. The line will be built between Xcel Energy’s Pawnee Substation near Brush, Colorado, and the Daniels Park Substation south of the Denver metro-area.

The USD-1-billion (EUR 888m) wind project, in turn, is expected to enter the construction phase in late 2017, subject to approval by the CPUC and the counties it concerns. Completion is scheduled for late 2018. Denmark’s Vestas (CPH:VWS) in April signed a conditional deal to supply up to 300 pieces of V110-2.0 MW turbines for the wind project.

“We believe the settlement announced today, if approved, is a no regrets step towards more renewable energy for Xcel Energy customers and the state of Colorado,” said David Eves, president of Xcel Energy – Colorado.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.888)

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